GBARNGA, Bong County – The Senate is initiating a major fiscal and legislative overhaul to decentralize power and enhance accountability, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence has disclosed.
Speaking at the National Assembly of Chiefs and Tribal Governors in Gbarnga on Thursday November 20, 2025, an event presided over by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Senator Karnga-Lawrence affirmed the Senate’s commitment to fully implement the Local Government Act of 2018.
The assembly which is held under the theme: “Kwa Pa Ku quieh-ma Ku-noih-tuh” or “LET’S COME TOGETHER AND BUILD OUR COUNTRY.”
The Pro Tempore outlined several key actions the Senate will undertake to strengthen county autonomy and ensure project-focused spending, capitalizing on the country’s first-ever national budget exceeding $1 billion.
“The Senate will establish salaries and set qualifications for County Council members within the national budget to formalize local governance structures.”
In a major policy change, Senator Karnga-Lawrence declared that the County and Social Development Funds (CSDF) must be used “only for development” projects. Counties will now be required to develop separate operational budgets, ending their reliance on the CSDF for administrative costs.
Supporting the President’s sanitation agenda, the Senate committed to ensure all major cities in Liberia, beyond just Monrovia and Paynesville, receive a dedicated operational budget allocation in the forthcoming national budget.
Senator Karnga-Lawrence also announced a significant new mandate for the healthcare sector:
The Senate plans to enforce a minimum allocation of US$250,000 for every referral hospital in the national budget to guarantee essential health services are adequately funded across the country. The Pro Tempore concluded by commending the Ministry of Internal Affairs for its work on the Local Government Act and praised the Chiefs and Tribal Governors for their vital role in maintaining peace and security within their communities.
